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MONTGOMERY, ALA. : 

W. E, ALLRED, PRINTER, 18 ROBINSON ST,, U 93 . 


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THE AUTHOR’S APOLOGY. 

Dear friend : It is a pleasure, in deed, 

To tell you about this book you read, 

For it was written in a very short while. 
On tablets with a pencil; in rough style. 

So as this is my first, please don’t be 
Discouraged by the mistakes, made by me, 

In spelling; or writing, neither in measure, 
For this is my first; read it with pleasure. 

When you come to a mistake in the work, 
Please think of a “Porter Clerk,” 

Who has striven to do liis. best, 

To do what he could, and to you leave the rest. 

A grammar learning, I only possess, 

And yet, I desire to make a success, 

As a writer; and if you’ll assist me, 
Doubtless a poet some day I’ll be. 

In three months only, I did this work, 
Serving all the while as a “Porter Clerk, 

And who can tell; what there may be, 

A chance of making a poet of me. 

Though, you will doubtless agree, 

That such a chance, there may be, 

And yet, if you will not say; go on, 

I will be left to strive alone. 

I know my work is nothing rare, 

And with former writers it will not compare, 


4 


But let me say: my dear friend, 

There is success for us, in the end. 

I shall try always to do, 

That which will encourage you, 

As a people and as a race; 

And my lines, I hope you’ll trace. 

Now in conclussion, let me say; 

Dear Christians, will you,for me pray? 

While to do this work, I am trying, 

Will you invoke a blessing upon me, divine ? 


AT HER COTTAGE DOOR. 

I stood knocking at her cottage door, 
Thinking o’er the times of the long a-go ; 

While the new year’s wind blew to an fro, 
With a feeling of care never felt be fore, 

I stood, gently knocking at her cottage door. 

Soon a “happy new year’s greeting, 

For agan two friends were meeting; 

And their hearts with friendship beating, 
Beating, and throbbing as never be-fore, 

Lovers’ hearts beating at her cottage door. 

It seemed like a dream, or a story of oid^ 
’Twas new year’s day, dreary and cold, 

No friendship so sweetly, ever was told, 
Told so sweetly, ever to adore ; 

Told with love, at he? cottage door. 



5 


Conversing with her in evening attire; 
Enjoying the comfort of a winter’s fire 

And soon the clock struck the hour of retire. 
Retiring with sympathy greater than he-fore; 
Greater than ever, at her cottage door. 

Soon the parting words were spoken, 
Promises made never to be broken, 

Each word a sweet memorial token, 

Words of love, which were never before 

So sweet and impressive at her cottage door. 

Here is my hand, ever to be true, 

Never again to turn away from you, 

Lovers as one— although we are two, 
Lovers for ever, yes for ever more, 

Such were the promises at her cottage door. 


SEA OE OPPRESSION. 

•Oh ! when shall the tides, be still and calm, 
And the storm of oppression be o’er, 

When shall we sail pass this storm, 

To a far, and blissful shore? 

When shall our lives, be that of men? 

! When shall this state of oppression end? 

Oh God! when shall we reach the shore; 

! When oppression shall end ; to be no more? 
We are sorely oppressed on every side; 
Our hearts seems to quiver and fail, 




6 


While we are tossed by each wave and tide 
As over this mad sea we sail. 

But v ah ! some day, we’ll reach the shore, 
Where oppression shall cease for ever more, 
For God will command the storm to cease, 
And every nation to sail in peace. 

Shall we but anchor here to perish? 

While the tempest rages high ? 

No, but let us every hope cherish, 

’Till we can but fail and die. 

Oh, God ! still the waves and tide, 

And with thy divine power, the sailors guide 
Oh, while we are on this stormy sea! 

We can, but stretch our hands to thee. 

Far in the distance, we see a light, 

And the sea, at times seems calm, 

And the future prospects seems bright. 

Oh, God ! wilt thou not still the storm? 

That we, in safety, may reach the shore, 
Where oppression end to be no more. 

For we are oppressed on every side, 

Tossed we are, by every wave and tide. 


A SCHOOL GIRLS LETTER. 

Dear friend : its not any pleasure to me, 
To write you such a letter at school, 

And yet while I shall ever love thee; 
The teacher says its against the rule. 




7 


Dear friend, I hope you will ever be true, 
And never for get I am your friend: 

For I shall continue my love for you 
From now until life shall end. 

Darling, be very careful now, 

How you meet me on the way, 

For the teacher knows exactly how, 
You’ve met me every day. 

When you come in the afternoon, 

To take me home from school, 

Please don’t come so very soon, 

For love, you know our rule. 

The teacher got on the racket to day, 

How we stand at mother’s gate, 

And she scolds me about it in dismay, 
More than to you, I’ll state. 

Darling, I am indeed sorry to say; 

That the teacher has made it a rule, 

Not to allow girls in any way, 

With boys, correspond while at school. 


THE FARMER. 

In the early spring he goeth forth, 
And makes ready and plows his field, 
And is daily laboring, that his farm, 
May an abundant harvest yeild. 



8 


With great care he tills the soil, 

After clearing away all brush and weeds, 

And is daily in his field, 

Making ready to plant his seeds. 

He labors all of the week; 

And it is generally the farmer’s rule ; 

To have his children each sabbath day, 
To attend the sabbath school. 

A lovely sight is the farmer’s home, 
Surrounded by shrubs and flowers, 

And its very pleasent to visit a farm 
Amid the long summer hours. 

The farmer labors very hard, 

Though ’mid all his labor and strife, 

And it is true ; that the farmer lives, 

A most endependent life. 

For no master has he over him, 

To see that his work is first class. 

And the only “boss” the farmer has, 

Is the rapid growing weeds and grass. 


BY THE BROOK. 

Bathing in the summer sunshine, 

AVatching the little brooklets flow, 

As over the pebbles, the crystal water pour 
And the sun-beams brightly glow. 



9 


The lovely summer's balmy breeze, 

Swept over the shrubs and flowers, 

I stood and praised the power divine, 
Which made this world of ours. ' 

The arched sky was clear and blue, 

And no cloud at all was seen ; 

To float across this heavenly world ; 

While earth was decorated with green. 

I stood by the brook, all day, 

Watching the little flowing stream, 

And all of the lovely flowers grow ; 

It seems to me like a dream. 

The grass which hung over the banks, 

Of this little brooklet so green, 

Until it was a lovely sight, 

And a beautiful brooklet screen. 

Oh! how I loved to go each day, 

And fish from morn till night, 

On this lovely little stream, 

Where the sun shone lovely and bright. 

The shade trees which were-very tall, 

And it was very cool beneath their boughers, 

Where I’d place myself to fish, 

Among the long grass and flowers. 

And Oh! how grand it was to see, 

The evening sun going down, 


10 


Behind the far off western hills, 

As homeward, I would be bound. 

But, Oh! what a day I’d joyfully spent, 

In every corner, field and nook, 

Looking for the best place to fish, 

On this little crystal brook. 

Trampling, trampling up and down, 

With a bunch of fish and flowers, 

On my way back, to the little farm home, 
In the lovely summer, evening hours. 

And there I would gladly tell to all, 

My fishing frolic of the day, 

And would pull off my fishing suit, 

And carefully put it away. 

Oh! if that little brooklet could talk, 

It would surely speak of me, 

For to it I would go every day, 

And sit, under my favorite tree. 

For there was an old oak tree, 

Very full of branches and leaves, 

And a great large root like a chair, 

Where I would make ready, and role up 

my sleaves 

For soon into the water I’d go, 

Wading and gathering from the deep, 

All kinds of little beautiful pebbles, 

And to prevent my self going a sleep. 


11 


But, Gh! the lovely flowers and grass, 
Would attract many eyes, 

But from the brooklet let us pass, 

And I’ll tell you more bye and bye. 


A YOUNG CHRISTIAN. 

Oh! My companions of my former days; 

I love you still, but I do not love your ways, 
Let not your ways be of sin, 

Seek the lord young sinner men, 

Trust in him for he is all, 

Trust the lord what’er be-fall. 

I am not ashamed to own my Lord, 

And tell his glorious blessings abroad, 

And to you, his word of life reveal. 

Work for the Lord with love and zeal, 

Trying his holy word to impart, 

Loving my master with all of my heart. 

Young man learn always to pray, 

Trying always, his holy will obey, 

Work for him who died for you, 

Be to him a Christian true, 

Who died in great agony and pain, 

Will you not his glory and honor sustain ? 

Ever let prayer be your safe guard, 

When trouble comes and crosses hard, 
Remember that the Lord, will ever hear, 



12 


Those who live in his love and fear, 
Christians, take my humble advice, 
Never participate in evil and vice. 


YOURS ALWAYS. 

Yours always, dear loving and true ; 

Never in life, will I forsake you, 

My friend, I shall ever try to impart, 
Those loving traits of a true sweet-heart, 
When all of earth, to me seems drear, 

I feel a fresh, to think of you, my dear, 

And my love, I shall ever be, 

A lover true and affectionate to thee. 

Yours always, a friend, loving and kind, 
Darling, as a lover I shall ever be thine, 

You, my love I shall never forsake, 

But I shall ever try, a true friend, to make, 

A glowing love, for you dear friend, 

A love, dear one, that’ill never end, 

And shall ever be love divine, 

For darling I shall ever be thine. 

Yours always, darling I shall be, 

Ever a lover and a true friend to thee, 
Though its true our love ‘ill grow old ; 

But, darling, our love shall never grow cold, 
With love let our hearts in twine; 

And darling, will you always be mine? 

That my life, may continue to glow, 

With the splendor of love for evermore . 



13 


Yours always, my dearest friend, 

For thee my love shall never end, 

For my love for thee, is love sublime, 

To thee, my sympathy and love incline, 

And darling, I shall ever prove to be 
A true lover and a triend to thee, 

For dear, I love you with all my heart, 
And from thee, my friend I’ll never part. 

Yours always, darling, day by day. 

My love shall brighten to never fade away, 
For the love I possess for you. 

Is a blooming rose of the loveliest hue,- 
Thou art, my friend, ever to be, 

Dearer than all of this world to me, 

And when my days work is done, 

While napping I dream of my loved one. 

Yours always, as through life we eo; 
To-morrow will dawn on love’s blissful shore 
Where the rays of love, shall ever beam, 
And love is real and never a dream, 

Yours always, dear sweet-heart. 

And the sweetest traits of love I’ll impart, 

As a friend, I shall ever be, 

T ue and affectionate, dear love, to thee. 

A CUSHION SEAT LIBRARY. 

There was a driver in our town, 

Who daily carried with him 



14 


Books and papers on his round. 

And at his leisure he would read them. 

This driver was very anxious to learn, 

Who was too poor to go to school. 

For his support, he had to earn, 

So he made daily reading a rule. 

He carried his literature very neat, 

And tideiy rapped and placed away, 

Under the wagon’s cushion- seat, 

And would read them during his leisure time 

each day. 

He read and studied very hard each day, 
And would go to school at night, 

And a great deal, he learned by this way, 
For at school, each study he’d recite. 

He kept under the cushion, day by day, 

A nice supply of choice literature, 

Carefully and neatly placed away, 

And this was a rare thing for a driver to do. 

He would always prize his books, 

Above every thing else he possessed, 

And under the cushion and in little nooks, 
He kept them with much success. 

Some times when he would be 
Trying to read while driving along the street, 
He would seem to be very happy to me 


15 


Shunning the vehicles, that he’d meet. 

His library learned him to be careful indeed 
For he could drive through a very narrow 

place, 

And would never cease, his books to read 
Nor run into the vehicles he’d face. 

A library of such as this driver had 
Was a very good companion indeed, 

For it was cheering to him when sad 
To go out in the wagon and lead. 


“A. C. of M.” 

On Sunday when we’ve nowhere to go, 

And the summer sun brilliantly glow, 

We find young people going to and fro, 

As if there was no joy for them, 

None other than the U A. C. of M.” 

So let the members joyfully meet, 

That all of them may stay out of the street, 
Which will pronounce, our defeat, 

For there are many who’ll trim 
Every growing twig of the “A. C. of M.’’ 

Let us have a brilliant start, 

And with every effort try to impart, 

Every good deed, by playing our part, 
Working and toiling with vigor and vim, 



16 


To make a grand success of the “A.C. of M ’ 9 

Let every member lady or gent, 

Feel that their time will de usefully spent 
By trying to do a great deal to give vent, 
For the interest and pleaure of all of them 
Who are members of the “A, C. of M.” 

In sociality let us try and lead, 

And keep on hand, good books to read, 
Ever walking in the law, upon which we’ve a 

greed. 

Always trying to obey them, 

And by this way be true to the “A.C.ofM” 

When you feel that you can’t keep the law, 
You can easily Lorn it with draw, 

For it is a club and not a flaw, 

And when you do not agree with them, 

It’s best you’d with draw from the “A. C’ ol 

M.” 

We have init some girls sweet to behold, 
But I am only telling, what I’ve been told, 
None too young nor any too old, 

And a boy told me, it was pleasing to him, 

To have the honor ofbeingan “A. C’ ofM.” 

It makes me feel like a “gent of style,” 

When in the club room girls can smile 


17 


Because I can enjoy the meeting all the while, 
By getting a chance of whispering to them, 
While in the club room of the U A. 0. of M.” 

But boys don’t forget you’ill be fined, 

If the president, catch you trying, 

To speak to that girl, over there behind, 

For there is nothing more displeasing to him, 
For you to be whispering, to girls in the 

“A. C. of M” 

The president is very kind to the boys, 

But he does not like for them to make a noise, 
Though he is willing, to add to their joys, 
Every thing, that’ll be, enjoyable to them, 
While they are members of the “A. C. ofM.” 

The laws, will elevate your mind, 

So I hope you’ll try and incline, 

Your thought on the law, and its fined, 

For every statue of the law, is a little gem, 

To every member, of the “A. C. of M.” 

And let me in conclussion say, 

God bless you all, on your way, 

To that blissfull, future day, 

And I trust, he will be with them, 

Who are members, of the “A. C. of M.” 


I WISH I WERE A POET. 


I wish I were a poet, indeed, 



18 


I would write a volume so grand, 

That all of the world would gladly read, 
My writings, of the heaven and land. 

I would write concerning the moon, 

As we see it gradually going down, 

I would write such thrilling poetry, Till soon. 
It would be world renown. 

I would write all about the stars above, 

And how they brilliantly glow, 

I would write all about lovers and love, 
More than any poet e’er wrote before. 

I would write about the pyrimids grand, 
And of those great things far away, 

In that far off eastern land, 

A thrilling poem I would write every day. 

I would write poems never heard of before, 
On subjects that would startle the world. 

I would write about the rain and snow, 

And about every beautiful girl. 

My writing would be read every where 
The heavenly sun does shine, 

For my poetry would be so rare, 

So beautiful and so sublime. 

The people of every part of the land, 

Would be looking for me indeed, 

To get the chance of kissing my hai\d, 


19 


And my writing, the world would heed. 

I would write all about Jubiter and Mars, 
And all those planets so high. 

I would write concerning all of the stars, 
Which dwell up in the sky. 

My writing would win the favor of all 
The people in the land, 

It would be read by both great and small, 
Who would be longing to kiss my hand. 

Why! I would write- poetry which you 
Would read with passionate tears ! 

I would give the world a lovely view, 

Of poetical experienced years. 

I would never think of failing, 

When I’d begin to write a rhyme, 

For if there be no failures prevailing, 

It would be no use of trying. 

For if I try I can but fail, 

Like other men have done, 

Though at times they could nothing avail, 
Yet in the last, they've won. 

' Great as a poet, indeed I’d be, 

1 would write of trouble and joy ; 

I would write that all the world might see 
What could be done by a boy. 

I wish,! were a poet indeed, 


20 


For I possess talents rare ; 

And with pleasure this world would read 
My poems every where. 

I will he a poet before I die, 

And leave this world of woe, 

For, very hard, each day I try 
To write a line or more. 


A SON’S PLEDGE. 

Dear mother I have strayed away 
From the path of thy guidance and care; 

But 1 shall make a pledge this day, 

0, help me to make it, dear mother, in 

prayer 

Temptations surrounded me, • 

And led me away from thy love ; 

But, to-day I return to thee, 

In the name of the divine above. 

Oh God! I fall before thy throne, 

To pledge thee my heart in prayer, 

For thy great devine power alone, 

Can restore me to thy loving care. 

Oh let the glass of tempting wine, 

Be casted away from me ! 

And take me in thy arms divine, 

And draw me nearer to thee. 



21 


Oh, lead me from that midnight grave 
Which is found in the whiskey bar-room : 

And help me to trust in thy name 
And save me from the gambler and drunkard’s 

doom. 

I pledge thee Lord to drink no more 
Intoxicating liquors, wine nor beer ; 

But Lord I pray that I shall ever grow 
In thy divine love and fear. 

Oh, God ! I pledge thee my heart 
That my will be lost in thine, 

Thy love to me dear Lord impart, 

And guide me by thy power divine. 


NO NEED TO COMPLAIN. 

I have no need to complain, 

While my Saviour is near my side: 

For he will wash away my sinful stain 
And will be my daily guide. 

When every thing seems dark and dreary 
And life is but a sad dream ; 

Yet I have no need to complain and worry 
While the Saviour’s love, around me beams* 

I know that there are troubles here 
In this world of sin and woe; 

But why should I doubt and fear 
While the Saviour loves me so? 



22 


The Saviour loved me long before 
Into this sinful world I came. 

And blessed me for evermore 
In his holy father’s name. 

I have no need to complain, 

As the Saviour has died for me. 

He suffered great agony and pain 
Of the cross on Mount Calvary. 

When troubles are along my way, 

I can but before my Saviour bow; 

And there is no prayer I can pray, 
Save I need thee every hour. 

There is no need to complain 
While Jesus loves us so, 

And will wash away our sinful stain, 
And make us white as snow. 


THE JOLLY FIVE. 

Over the hills, and little rills; 

We will all take a ride. 

Now sit still the surry we’ll fill, 
young ladies get in by my side. 

Over the brooks, and little noo£s, 
Homeward we merrily go, 

Talking of books, and funcy cooks 
’Till we reach the cottage door. 



23 


A happy five enjoyed the drive 
The horse’s feet were prattling, 

In his strive, home to arrive, 

And the surry was fearfully rattling. 

Happy were we two and three; 

A jolly concert crowd, 

’Twas surprising to me, that the driver 

would agree, 

Such burden on his horse be allowed. 

I guess he knew ’twas only a few 
Enjoying that splendid drive, 

He would of never rue if ’twas only two 
Instead of the jolly five. 

A bargain we make and can not break, 

I guess came to the driver’s mind; 

While he quake and the buggy shake 
He gazed at the fellows behind. 

A funeral, he said nodding his head 
It seems we are on our way, 

But who was dead or who was in dread 
We would leave it for him to say. 

Oh! how drear those fellows in the rear 
Who are so heavy and stout; 

Ah ! what fear that the buggy ’ll not bear 
Yet those fellows ’ll not get out. 

Ah ! ’twas rude to thus intrude 


24 


Upon a driver who was so kind ; 

But I must alude with much gratitude 
That the drive was very fine. 

’Twas a lovely night the moon shone 

bright, 

And we all enjoyed the drive: 

With much delight ’twas a splendid sight 
To see the jolly five. 


MY FIRST LOYE LETTER. 

My first love letter was indeed, 

Very loving and sweet to me, 

Over and over I would carefully read, 
As line after line would be, 

The sweetest promises ever to be true, 
And all such words of a friend. 

Who seemed to me had in view, 

Love for me without an end. 

Oh, how I would pleasantly smile! 
When I read those precious lines, 

As I would pause a little while, 

To think of a lover so kind, 

Who promised me ever to be true, 

As a dear loving sweethart, 

And said she would willingly woo, 
And from me she would never part. 


Now my love letters had begun, 



25 


To flow like a little brook, 

And quickly I would open each one, 
Fori would be anxious to look, 

And see what it would contain, 

For I would imagine ’twas indeed, 
Something that was to retain, 

Our love which I was glad to read. 

Oh, how loving she would call me, 

Her only darling boy! 

And how she would say I love thee, 
Gave me a great deal of joy. 

I love thee and thee alone; 

She would repeat o’er and o’er, 

But do not come when papa is at home, 
If you do our love will be no more. 

I am quite young yet she said, 

In her first love letter to me, 

But I some what nodded my head. 

And wondered that her father would be, 
Indeed very angry to know, 

That I had ever wrote, 

To the darling little girl before, 

Who was so anxious to get a note, 

My first letter was carefully read, 

And then laid away, 

And so refreshing was what she said, 

I would read it day after day, 

For it was my first, so dear, 

It was indeed to me, 


26 


That its contents I would bear, 
Ever fresh in memory. 


BECAUSE I WAS BLACK. 

I went to the station the other day. 

In a very grand and stylish way, 

As I rode down in a very fine hack, 

I was ridiculed because I was “black.” 

I called for a ticket for a first class ride, 

But to me, this, the agent denied, 

And very readily, informed me of the fact, 
That it was not lawful because I was “black. 7 

I boarded a comfortable car, 

For the “jim-crow,” I do abhor. , 

But soon the conductor ordered me back 
To the “jim-crow” because I was “black/’ 

I “kicked” at first and would not go. 

And I asked of him why so ? 

And he told me it was a lawful act, 

That I should obey; because I was black”. 

I did not deem it justice to me; 

And why it was could not really see, 

The reason why I should go back, 

But I had it to do, because I was black. 

I went back and quietly sat down, 

But there was not much comfort to be found, 



27 


And I thought it a very mean act 
To be treated thus because I was “black.’’ 

And when I arrived at my destination 
I entered a lunch room at the station, 

And placed my hat upon the rack; 

But it was taken down because I was “black.” 

“My stars” I cried in much dismay, 

“I wonder why I am treated this way” 

But soon I was informed of the fact 
That I was treated so, because I was “black.” 

I called a boy to shine my shoes 
While I stood reading the news, 

And the waiter ask me it I knew the fact, 
That I could not get a lunch, because I 

was “black.” 

Well I tell you, it was very hard for me, 

And why so, you can plainly see, 

That all the world wanted me to stand back, 
Simply because I was “black.” 

“God bless this cruel world” I said, 

And put my hat upon my head, 

And took a first class hack 
And went with my race because I was “black.” 

THINK OF ME IN YOUR PRAYER. 

While I wonder all alone, 



28 


In this world of sin and care, 

When you draw near mercy’s throne, 

Think of me in your prayer. 

To be true and faithful,—how I try, 

While troubles are every where, 

When you to the Saviour draweth nigh 
Think of me in your prayer. 

When to church on Sunday I go, 

And it seems that no pleasure is there, 

I think of my soul while bowing low, 

Oh! think of me in your prayer. 

Dear to me, are the thoughts of life, 

When I can feel a Saviour’s care; 

And I am cheered in my strife, 

When you think of me in your prayer. 

When temptations surround my heart, 

And crosses are numerous and hard to bear, 
No thought to me more love impart, 

Than for you to think of me in your prayer. • 

While my mind seems to wonder away 
Up in the emmense space of air; 

While duty demands my attention each day. 
Think of me in ^our prayer. 

When into your* chamber morn and night 
You silently kneel there, 

To pray the guidance of a divine light, 
Think of me in your prayer. 


29 


Oh, loved one ! kind and true, 

Thou art so beautiful and fair; 

Let me dear one entreat you 
To think of me in your prayer. 

For each morning, I know you pray 
For a Saviour’s love and care; 

And that you may learn His word, 

So think of me in your prayer. 

In my daily work of toil and strife, 

And hardships are generally my fare; 

While I am trying to live a Christian life; 
Think of me in your prayer. 

Oh, how great is the power 1 
We can find it,—not else where, 

Than in the pleading of every hour 
To our God in secret prayer. 

When all of life is dreary, it seems 
There is a fold of care ; 

Though it is felt as in a dream, 

When you think of me in your prayer. 

As the time steadily rolleth by 
And yet I standeth in despair; 

Oh, friend ! dear friend, to thee I cry, 
Think of me in your prayer. 


MOTHER’S BOY. 

Oh, mother ! where is the shoe brush? 



30 


It is time that I was gone 

And I expect sister has put it away 
I wish she would leave it alone. 

And now, the school bell is ringing 
And I will have to go 

Without any tie or scarf to wear, 

And sister has on my beau. 

Mother, do you know where my hat, 

Or my school-bag could be? 

It seems that all I possess, 

Is a world of trouble to me. 

Oh, mother! you say that the comb is on * 

the dresser 

But I cant find it there,— 

Oh, yes! now I have got it mother, 

’And will you please brush my hair? 

Mother, where is my pencil ? 

And have you seen that old tablet of mine? 

The second bell is now ringing 
And my things are so hard to find. 

And my lessons are so very hard, 
Especially that old arithmetic rule, 

And I’ve no time to study it now 
For it is late and I must go to school. 

I am ready to go to school now, 

And please come and kiss me, 

I will put all of my things away to-day 
And a better boy I will try to be. 


31 


“Be a good boy at school, my son,” 

Yes, dear mother I I will try • 

“Now ofl to school, dear son, be gone, 

Here kiss me dear boy good-bye. 

And to school I am just in time, 

To fall in the ready formed line, 

To march with the other scholars, 

While the bell is ringing for nine. 

A SERENADE AT MID-NIGHT. 

Oh, how sweet the music rang ! 

And the voices of some friends that sang 
At my door. 

It was mid-night calm and pleasant, 

And they sang sweeter at my resident 
Than ever before. 

Having retired to my bed room alone, 
Where the lamp light dimly shone, 

And which made, 

Every thing look lone and desolate, 
While there was sweet music at the gate. 
Of a serenade. 

As they would that sweet music play, 

It carried all my sad feelings away, 

And how sweet, 



32 


Every tune, which they played to me, 
And a dream it seemed to be, 

This pleasant treat. 

Oh, how I loved to hear them sing ! 
And the musical voice ring, 

Of each boy, 

As they sang at mid-night calm, 

When I was a boy, “down on the farm,” 
Gave me joy. 

Oh, what pleasure it rendered me ! 
While standing near a little tree, 

By the door, 

While sweet music was ringing, 

As those serenaders were singing, 

Songs of jore. 

Oh ! how dreary, when they had gone, 
For I was left all alone, 

There to stay, 

And I wished that it could be, 

So that they could of remained with me, 
’Til the break of day. 


PATIENTLY WAIT, YOUR TIMETLL 
COME. 


Boys, I would not go far away 



33 


From a home and parents kind. 

You’ll be sorry for it some day, 

When no pleasure from home you can find. 

So patiently wait, your time’ll come, 

And you will be old enough to leave home. 

Boys, to leave a home so dear, 

A mother so kind and true. 

To go out in the world, I fear 
May cause grief and pain to you. 

So patiently wait, your time’ll come, 
And you will know how to live from home. 

Oh, do not leave your mothers side! 

To go out in a world of woe ; 

Far away from home you have no guide, 
From evil temptations and foe, 

So patiently wait, your time’ll come, 
when you can guide your self from home. 

The boy that goes off to find 
A fortune to call his own, 

I would have him bear in mind 
That the best, he will find is at home. 

So patiently wait, your time’ll come, 

And a fortune you will have at home. 


MY FATHER WAS A DRUNKARD. 

Once upon a cold and dreary night, 

My dear mother passed away, 



34 


To her heavenly home, so bright, 

And there with angels she dwells to day. 

Oh, how I remember her tender voice ! 
Calling us to her dying bed side, 

And the good advices she gave her boys, 
The sad hour before she died. 

Oh, dear boysl never in thy fath’rs path tread, 
For to-day he is a slave to drink, 

Remember my advice on a dieing bed, 

And pray for your father who is on eternity’s 

brink. 

God will bless you, day by day, 

It you will keep his holy command, 

Promise mother dear ones ever to pray, 

Make mother this promise and give her 

your hand. 

0 God! I pray thee to bless these three, 
Poor little children of mine, 

Lead them through life as it pleases Thee, 
For Lord, all power is thine. 

And the passionate tears from my eyes, 
Were like a little flowing stream, 

And my sad greif I could scarcely realize, 
And I wished it only a dream. 

Quiet and cold, dear mother laid. 

And drew her last life’s breath, 

As her three little ones stood by her side, 
She passed through the shadow of death. 


35 


After our dear mother was dead, 

Father continued to drink as before, 

And a wicked drunkard’s life he lead, 

While poverty over shadowed our door. 

We were three children indeed too small, 
To earn our clothing and bread, 

But God provided for us after all, 

’Though father was a drunkard and mother 

dead. 

‘ And father continued to drinK, 

Spending his time at the bar room, 

Standing on the eternal brink, 

Of a dark and dismal doom. 

0 God ! to-day I would pray, 

For those whose father loves wine, 

For drinking will lead him astray, 

Into sufferage, evils, temptations and crime. 

We are daily witnesses of the vice, 

Which drinking whiskey originate, 

And I shall follow dear mothers advice, 
That drinking, be not my fate. 

Oh, my God ! how sad when they said, 
u There is your father at the gate, 

Some friends are bringing him dead, 

For he, has met a drunkard’s fate. 

O young men ! experience has told me, 

A story of pain, grief and woe, 


36 


And let me to-day kindly entreat thee, 
Never go within a bar room door. 

My father was a sober man one day, 
Young and happy like you, 

But,- Oh ! the first drink led him a stray, 
Young man, of you let not this be true. 


TO DAY PM TWENTY ONE. 

All of my boyish sports are over 
And my man-hood days’ve begun. 

No more as a boy over town to rover, 

For to-day I’m twenty-one. 

Oft in the old field, I’ve played ball, 

In the brilliant summer sun, 

But such sport no more at all 
Will I play, for to.day I’m twenty-one. 

Now the end, of all mv boyish plays 
And sports to me, has come, 

And I must begin manly ways 
For to day I’m twenty-one. 

* My father gave me, my share of the stuff, 
And said to me, “my son; 

You will find the world very rough, 

But, remember you are twenty one.” 

Now what, pleasure there is for me, 

With the money I’ll have some fun, 



37 


But soon I thought, this could not be. 
For to day I’m twenty one. 

I can take a part in politics and vote, 
And for a political office run, 

And our party’s, cause promote, 

For to day I’m twenty one. 


ACQUANTANCE AFTER DEATH. 

The traits of character a man possess, 
We will never know; more or less, 

Until the man is dead. 

And so, the life man lives to day; 

You’ll never know, ’till he passes away, 
From the life he has led, 

So let us look well to the life we live, 
That the eulogy be good they give, 

Of us when we are dead, 

And over our grave they may write, 

On a tomb stone pure and bright, 

At our head. 

The life of a man is never told, 

Until in death, he sleepeth cold, 

And life is no more. 

And then his lifes history is imparted, 



38 


For the man has, from earth departed, 
To return no more. 

Let our lives he great or small. 

Or not very prominent after all, 

Who will know? 

Until we are dead and gone, 

To our last eternal home, 

For ever more. 

Oh, that our lives may be 
Upright! that the world may see, 

How we try 

To be true to our earthly trust, 

That the eulogy the world gives of us. 
Be good when we die. 

When life on earth is no more, 

And we land on the eternal shore. 
There to stay. 

Then the story of our life they’ll tell. 
While in an other world we dwell, 

Far away. 

So when man’s earthly life is o’er, 
And he lives to die no more, 

In a world beyond the skies, 

Then his life, whether great or small. 
Will be made known to all, 

When he dies. 


39 


ON THE CORNER. 

Oh ! what can we do, but earnestly pray, 
For the man and boy who day by day, 

Stand on the corner in idle joy ? 

Oh! what can we do for such man or boy ? 

Ah, the corner is such a bad place ! 

For it leads many a good boy into disgrace ; 

It leads him into vice and crime. 

Ah, it leads a good boy from parents kind! 

A lather who thus spends his life, 

Is a very bad leader for his children and wife? 

Oh ! let us pray for the day to come, 

When all such fathers will stay at home. 

Oh, how they stand around and drink I 
And never once pause to think, 

Of the pain, grief and woe, 

Which will soon over shadow their door. 

Oh, let us pray for such fathers and sons, 
Oh, let us pray for the wandering ones! 

That they may not farther delay, 

But turn again to the righteous way. 


AN EASTERN TRAVEL—OUR VISIT 
TO ROME. 

We visited Saint Peter’s church at Rome, 

A great building with its grandures aloft, 



40 


Within it stood Saint Peter’s statue in bronze 
With toes which the Catholics ’ve nearly kissed 

off- 

And the thirty pain windows painted grand, 
Was the beautifuilest sight I’d ever seen, 

The pictures were Mosaic,—of the eastern 

land, 

Which presented a magnificent scene. 

I only wished,- indeed it could be 
That all of my friends at home. 

Could come across the waters and see 
The wonderful things of the great city, Rome. 

The wonders of Rome, dear friends, indeed, 
Would be impossible tor me to explain to 

you, 

And this little book which I hope you’ll read 
Gives only a little account of a few. 

II 

OUR VISIT TO EGYPT. 

I 

ALEXANDRIA. 

Off for Egypt from the city Brendisi, 

We left the European people and shore. 

The voyage was rough, and the party and I, 
Were bewildered by a terriffic storm which 

rose. 


41 


We arived at Alexandria during a quar¬ 
antine, 

For from Venice, our steamer had sailed, 

And after two days we were counted and 

clean, 

From the cholera of which, in Venice pre¬ 
vailed. 

We visited the palace, the Khedive’s home, 
The buildings were large and plain, 

And the Khedive’s harem, which alone 
Constitutes, his many wives domain. 

For like all eastern princes he possess 
Many wives, and the natives told me 
Yet with all their religion, nevertheless 
They say it’s right that such should be. 

Here I first saw a mosque with it’s beau¬ 
tiful minarets, 

A tower where the priest goes thrice a-day 
To call to gether the people who never 

for-gets 

Nor refuse to respond and, in their manner 

pray. 

And oft did this scene make me feel 

ashamed, 

When I would think of me, a Christian boy, 
Claiming to love our Saviour’s name, 
Forgetting to pray, for sight-seeing and joy. 


42 


On our departure the natives yelled and 

cried 

Backshih! Backshish ! mean a gift of a coin 
And we gave them a little and they were 

satisfied, 

And then in peace we could continue going. 

Soon we were safely in a railway train 
And we saw many wonders, as I’d never 

before, 

Bode over that vast Egyptian plain 

In cars speeding fast, our way to Cairo. 

Ill 

THE PYRAMIDS. 

% 

They are built of fine marble stone 
Peaking up towards the heavenly sky, 

And each one marks some kings tomb 
And are more than a hundred feet high. 

Oh, think of a structure of marble so grand 
Which taken three hundred thousand men to 

build; 

Who were the best stone-masons in the land 
Using their best arts and skill. 

Oh, what wonders the pyramids are ! 

For they were built of fine marble stone ; 
Which were more than a hundred feet 

square, 

And one weighing several hundred pounds 

alone. 


43 


How they handled those stones, we are 

not told, 

But it is a wonderful sight to see, 

How wise, were the Egyptains of old, 

That built this great world mystery. 

They would begin to build the pyramid 
As soon as the king assumed the throne, 

And would continue as long as he lived 
And when he died, it served as his tomb. 

IV 

OUR VISIT TO INDIA. 

We visited Bombay and the Suez canal; 

We traveled from shores, cities and stations 
And learned a great many strange things, 
And the custom of their civilization. 

The roads were over shadowed by an arch 
Growth of green and beautiful trees, 

And as through this lovely passage we 

march 

We enjoy a most pleasant breeze. 

Although the tropical sun pours down 
With its rays of intense heat, 

We enjoy a pleasant drive out of town 
For the arched roads are a rare treat. 

Oh, those lovely trees and flowers ! 

And those arched roads, oh, how grand ! 


44 


Dear to memory is every hour, 

We spent in this East India land. 

Oh, how I long once more again, 

To visit this land of spices and floral! 

And to traverse the coast and main land, 
And to visit those lovely Islands of Coral. 

V. 

THE TAZ OR HINDOO TEMPLE. 

Oh, the Hindoo temple, how grand ! 

With its beautiful minarets and towers, 

The greatest building in all of the land, 
With walls,imposing designs of mosaic flowers 

The tomb ot which this wall enclose 
Is most beautiful to behold 

With gems and gold enlaiden doors, 

Was built for a memorandum,we are told. 

King Siham, more than two hundred years 

ago 

Made a promise to his loving wife, 

This house of admiration he’d build 
To commemorate her love, during life. 


And soon after-wards she quietly passed 

away 


To her last eternal home, 

And Siham built the temple, which to-day 
Glow with splendor, over his and his wife’s 

tomb. 


45 


Oh! how the echoes sweetly ring 
As they with melody fall, 

When the Korans musically sing 
Within those sacred walls. 

And, oh ! how sweet were the songs we 

sang, 

Within those walls, so grand, 

Our voice in that temple rang 
Like spirits echoing, to an angel band. 

The grandeur I can not, to you impart 
Of the Taz, the hindoos’ temple of blest. 

So I have only told you a part, 

And you can imagine the rest. 


A PARTING KISS. 

For many years we may’ve been friends, 

Yet there is a time when every thing ends, 
And the hearts that together did beat 

Some day will be severed apart complete. 
For I, this day, can well remember, 

It was in the month,-September, 

While I lived a life of bliss, 

But soon to take a parting kiss. 

From mother and home far away, 

And, Oh! how I remember the very day, 

I leaned upon dear mothers arm 
And bid her good-bye down on the farm. 



46 


I left to go to a little town, 

Where work of industry could be found, 

And soon her loving voice to miss 
After her kind words and a parting kiss. 

Oh! when I remember the scene of joy, 

When I was a very small boy, 

And what a comfort it was to me, 

To lean on my dear mother’s knee. 

But those days have long since passed, 

And among other stories classed, 

And, Oh ! how that time differs from this, 
For it was hard to take a parting kiss. 

But now a days the boys go away, 

From home, with much ease every day, 

Leaving their parents’ eyes filled with tears 
Yet from home, they will stay for years, 

And they will play truant at school 
Breaking their parent and teacher’s rule, 

But many a boy who does this 
Leaves his mother each day with a parting 

kiss. ; 

Such boys are not manly at all, 

And sooner or later will get their fall, 

For any boy who will thus deceive, 

Will his portion of misery receive, 

And some day he will need regret, 

That all he possess and could get, 

Could restore to him that love and bliss 
Which is told by a mother’s parting kiss. 

' Y s : /33B 

1 


47 


Oh, what is meant by a parting kiss ! 
Seems to me something like this : 

We are making a promise on going away, 
To ever do what is right the while we stay, 
And if we should not meet any more 
We bid each other farewell as we go, 
’Though others may differ from this, 

Yet this is meant by a parting kiss. 


A DRUNKARDS EXPERIENCE 

As I drew near our little shanty door 
I heard some one bitterly crying, 

My wife and child lay on the floor 
And my darling little baby was dying. 

And my darling wife in dispair 
Bending over the dear baby’s head, 

While the thought I could scarcely bear, 

To hear that the baby was dead. 

How could I breathe another breath 
On this cold and stormy night, 

When a wife and child starved to death, 

A wife so loying, and a child so bright. 

Oh! how I thought of the days of my 

youth, 

And a kind old mothers advice, 

Never was I so impressed with the truth 
Of staying out of evil and vice. 



48 


But a habit of drinking addicted of late 
Had caused this pain and woe, 

And had brought starvation in my gate 
And poverty over-shadowed the door. 

With my eyes filled with passionate tears 
Trying to console a heart broken wife, 

I often think of my former years; 

And how I had wasted my life. 

Oh! what pains, grief and woe 
Of drinking m my early life, 

Poverty, and sadness, it brought to my 

door, 

And shame to a darling little wife. 

Oh! how my heart can leap with joy 
When I think of my change in life, 

’Though I lost my dear little boy 
But I’ve restored comfort for my wife. 

And now as bright as the stars above 
A comfortable home is ours ; 

And our hearts once more int vine with love, 
As a garden of vines and flowers. 


THE GROCERY PORTER. 

He comes when rain is falling 
And when the sky is bright, 

He comes to the back door calling 
With a merry cry “All Right.” 



49 


He renders all good favours 
By constant being on time ; 

He never shrinks from his labors 
Nor always excuses find. 

He is always mild and pleasent, 
Hardships he patiently bears; 

For “All Right” he cries constant, 

And bad weather he never fears. 

Don’t forget the Porter 
For he always tries to be kind, 

And keep the hour of your dinner 
Always present in mind 

The rain never delays him, 

The cold makes him go fast, 

The lightning may dart about him 
But he will cry out “All Right” to the last. 

Each token of respect encourages him, 
And this you will surely pay, 

You have sympathy tor him 
Who serves you every day. 

A servant to the public the porter is so 
Ever to be on time; 

Never minding cold or snow 
Nor rain or sunshine. 


A CLOSE ESCAPE. 

The^ gathered about him and bound him fast 



50 


In the dark nightly mist of gloom, 

A man, though innocent he was, 

To meet a sad and fatal doom. 

They led him, for miles away, 

Down in a low waste of land, 

Where they intended to end the life 
Of this poor and innocent man. 

The prisoner looked very sad and pale. 

And with a loud wailing voice he cried: 

a I am not guilty of the accused crime, 

And will you let me, by the law be tried? 7 " 

The mob paid no attention to him, 

And seemed to be more filled with wrath, 

And they led him down into the woods 
Through a rough and narrow path. 

The man followed, bound tight and fast 
His eyes were filled with passionate teairs, 

And pleading to the mob to spare his life, 
Who from him had turned their ears. 

But soon the man began to weep, 

For they were carrying him he knew not 

where, 

And he began to gaze up above them and 
pray 

And God heard and answered his prayer. 

The man told the mob of men 


51 


That God would some day punish them, 

For he was innocent of the crime 
For which they were to lynch him. 

But this cruel mob led him on 
To the place where he must die, 

And soon a rope on his neck they placed 
And bade him a scornlul good-bye. 

“Not so, my friends,” the man softly cried 
“I shall soon be happy and free, 

For God will take care of his people, 

And I am innocent of what you accuse me.” 

The mob were shocked by his words, 

And indeed some of them were terrified, 

And soon they conferred with each other 
To let the innocent man be tried. 

And so they took the rope^ away 

From the body and neck of the man, 

But he was so faint, sore and weak, 

Till on his feet he was unable to stand. 

And they all quietly walked away ; 

“We will leave him to die!” the mob leader 
said, 

And one of them returned the next day 
To find the poor innocent man dead. 

But not so; God had given to him strength, 
That he might go on happy and free, 

I 

I 


52 


For God was with the innocent man, 

For if God be with us, no danger can be. 

The man searched carefully far and near, 

In much surprise he looked everwhere, 

And soon he fell upon his knees and cried: 
“Surely it was God that heard his prayer.” 

The man whom the mob had released, 

Soon returned and lold his sad story 

Of how he was dragged by this mob. 

Yet trusted his God, the God of glory. 

The man began his story by saying, 

“It was a daik and cold winter’s night, 

And they bound me fast with ropes 

And led me away, and I dared to try and 
fight.” 

“For great was the number of men, 

It seems to me it was a hundred or more. 

When I began to look around me, 

Standing outside of my door.” 

But he refuses to tell any more now, 

About how they cruelly treated him, 

But with much joy he tells us how 

God in his mercy saved him from them. 

u A close escape,” he often repeats. 

In a voice which is faint and low, 

“I was bound fast, hand and feet, 

But God released me I know.” 


53 


BE HONEST IN ALL THINGS. 

Oh, how often a great many people neglect 
this important fact! how often we come in 
contact with such persons; and, yet, we do 
not try and make it a point to inform them 
of the tact, that unless they are honest in their 
dealings, there will be no success for them. 

Let us for an instant carefully notice some 
little transactions of which we seldom dream 
of, and doubtless when they come to mind we 
say, Oh, well, that doesn’t amount to anything ! 
But let us see, now, whether it does or not. 

First, let us take debts of about fifty cents 
and less, and we know that the contracting «of 
such little sums is a very small matter; but in 
principle and honesty they are very large and 
important matters. 

Oh! how often we hear s^me people use 
this expression ; .“It doesn’t matter if I do not 
pay that man, he is rich, he will never miss 
this little sum, so it doesn’t matter whether I 
pay him or not.’’ 

But do you know that this is wrong? do you 
know it is stealing to obtain goods on the prom¬ 
ise of paying for them and then fail to pay for 
them? Do you know that God will hold you 
responsible for such deeds of dishonesty? 


54 


But let us come to our selves and see if 
we can prosper by over-looking these little 
deeds of dishonesty. You owe the merchant 
a little bill and desire to obtain more goods 
from him, he will tell you that you must pay 
the sum you owe him before he can credit you 
any more. 

Borne one will ask, why doesn’t he believe 
that he will get paid? But the merchant 
will say, if you are not honest in small matters 
surely you will not be in larger ones. 

Oh! how many people there are to-day 
who can not obtain the favor of any mer¬ 
chant or business man? A man in business 
would reply “Thousands.” How many people 
there are to-day who for the sake of a very 
small sum, wiU tell thousands of wilful lies ? 
And the merchant will reply “Thousands.” 

Having been employed in a mercantile 
business since I was a very small boy, I have 
learned a fact which indeed makes me feel sad 
to relate, a fact which causes me very much 
pain to tell you of, a fact though so often over¬ 
looked, yet very important to be considered^ 
a fact of which hundreds over looks, and is 
destruction to thousands. And that is none 
other than the neglect of giving these small 
matters our attention. Pay all of your ac¬ 
counts, it matters not how small or insignf- 


55 


icant they are, remember that it is your duty 
to pay them. 

Some people are very prompt in paying all 
of their debts, and yet are not honest. While 
we can not be perfect in honesty, let us at 
least be reliable and truthful. When we pro 
rnise to do a thing,—do it, when we agree 
to a certain contract,—stick to it, if we should 
make a bargain, make it honestly. 

And I would say, as soon as we begin to 
“practice what we preach” the better it will 
be for us. 

Do we ever think of how important it is to be 
honest in all things? Let us ever be impress¬ 
ed with the fact, of the importance of being 
honest in our dealings. 

Be honest in all things, 

Be upright and true, 

Be just in all of your dealings, 

And God will prosper you. 

But, oh, how often this fact is neglected by 
us ! how often even professed Christians neg¬ 
lect this important fact? And will say, when 
reminded if it, u 0 well, it does not matter, 
God will not punish me for failing to pay a 
rich man such a little sum, God will not pun¬ 
ish me for failing to meet that little engage¬ 
ment, and I am sure it did not amount to much, 


56 


so what harm, has been done by such a little 
neglect or failing to attend to such a small 
.matter ? 

But the careful observer would reply 
It is the little wicked deeds which grow 
Into large volume of sin, 

And that will bring eternal woe 
Upon many unthoughtful men. 


notoriety in its different 
forms. 

A humble Christian, I would rather be, 

Free from the eternal curse of sins. 

Than to possess wicked notoriety. 

And worshiped by evil men. 

Notorietp, Oh! how many thousands there 
are to-day who are trying in many ways to 
gain notoriety. .Noted as a preacher, noted as- 
a lawyer, noted as a politician, noted as a 
teacher, noted as a christain, noted as a me¬ 
chanic, noted as a prize fighter, noted as a 
gambler, noted as a robber, and in fact trying 
to be noted for more things than it would be 
necessary for me to mentfon. 

But let us not labor for notoriety, but let us 
labor to do all that we can for the up-build¬ 
ing and progressiveness of those things which 
are good. 



57 


Oh! how sad it is to note the fact of so ma¬ 
ny thousands, who to-day are clamoring for 
notoriety, who are doing all manner of things 
to be noted. But let us say to them in words 
of truth. 

I would not for the sake of notoriety, 
Aeainst my great God rebel. 

And purchase a home of eternal misery, 

In the bottomless pits of hell. 

When we desire to be noted for certain qual¬ 
ities, we should, first, be mindful of the tact, 
that to be noted for any quality it should be a 
good and an upright one. 

A father who is noted for his traits of moral and 
Christian character, will be imitated by his son, 
and his son will become a good man, also. The 
mother who is noted for her good qualities will 
be imitated by her daughter, and her daugh¬ 
ter will be a good woman, and, so it is with a 
nation, the leading features of the noted men 
and women, will be imitated by the people. 
For whosoever is our ideal, his doctrine will we 
accept. The young, knows not who their ideal 
is, and hence they will be led by those who are 
their seniors. 

And what ever the leading features of a city 
are, we will find the young trying in some way 
to immitate them 

No one is perfectly satisfied at his present 
station of life, they are always trying to im- 


58 


prove and when they have arrived at a very 
high standard, their desire for improvements 
are as great as it was when they begun until 
they have gained notoriety. 

We take the fine skilled mechanic and as soon 
as he has reached the highest standaad of his 
trade, he proceeds and tries to invent some 
new idea of working, or some new invention. 
So we find no one perfectly satisfied with what 
he is at present. 

But let us be mindful of the fact, that to in¬ 
troduce new things, and to improve the pres¬ 
ent, and to be very genius, creates notoriety. 
And while we are becoming noted, let us be¬ 
come noted for some very good and industrial 
accomplishments. 

For just what we are noted for, there will be 
hundreds who will try and be noted for the 
same. 

Rev. Dr. Spurgeon was noted as a divine 
minister, and to-day thousands of preachers 
are trying to walk in the path which he trod. 
George Washington, the father of America, 
was noted for his bravery as a warrior, for his 
truthfulness, and for his great labors as an A- 
merican Statesman. President Abraham Lin¬ 
coln was noted for the issuing of the proclama¬ 
tion of the emancipation and as the only mar¬ 
tyr president. Frederick Douglass is noted 
for his bravery as an ex-negro slave, and for 
the good of which he has accomplished as a 


59 


Statesman. Shakespeare was noted for his 
writings. Eddison was noted for being the 
'father ot modern inventions and we might 
name many who were noted for some great 
deed of good. But deeming it unnecessary 
we now return to our subject, 

NOTORIETY IN ITS DIFFERENT FORMS. 

Oh I how sad it is for us to note the fact, 
that to-day we are surrounded by thousands 
whose desire of notoriety is so great until they 
will sacrifice their immortal souls for the sake 
of notoriety. What is there in notoriety that 
so many seek for it? what does notoriety bring 
a man, that he will do so much to obtain it? 
why do so many people love notoriety? And 
the man who is striving for good and not no¬ 
toriety will answer, because the desire of some 
people are so great for honor and distinction 
until to be distinguished for some quality, mat¬ 
ters not how vicious it might be, is much more 
preferred than not to be distinguished at all. 

Oh ! like the poor blind infidel, 

Who paves his way to eternal woe, 

By denying God and making hell, 

His miserable abode for ever more. 

Like the man, who to day, 

Stands out in rebellion and sin, 

And finally leads himself astray, 

Trying to be greater than other men. 

m? ■■ •' ‘ ' 


60 


Oh! let me dear ones, kindly entreat, 

You to be careful while you aim, 

A great fortune in this world, meet, 
By gaining notoriety and fame. 


HOW, AND WHAT TO READ. 

How many people are there to-day, we will 
hear saying: “I wash I had somewhere to go 
or something nice to read.” But, here, we would 
like to ask a question; why, with all pi the cur- 
rent literature and good books and papers that 
are daily published, and are laiden with all 
kind of news, and stories of interest, will you 
say that you wish you had something good to 
read? But th eh reply is: “Oh, well, I mean 
something exciting, such, as a good novel of 
a romance, love affair or some thrilling story 
of a sensational affair.” 

To-day we will find the home of many 
of our most cultured people thronged with nov¬ 
els and story-books ol which our mothers, who 
were here during the days ol “long ago ’ would 
for-bid her daughter or son reading them. 

The mother of “the long ago” sat with bi- 
ble in hand; but the mother of now a days sits 
with .fashion magizine, and novels in hand. 

While I do not desire to convey the idea to 
the reader that I deem the reading of fashion 
magizines and some novels wrong, I do desire 
to convey the idea, of being careful about w r hat 



61 


we are reading and allowing to be brought in¬ 
to our homes. 

For the girl whose leisure is spent read¬ 
ing romance love stories, will be a poor house 
keeper, and will never be able to entertain 
her guest, with those pure moral and cultured 
conversations, which is so desirable and appre¬ 
ciated by intellectual friends. 

What man, who, after returning from his la¬ 
bors, in the afternoon, cares for his wife to 
entertain him with the prattle of an old rom¬ 
antic love story ? What father desires to be 
worried by his son telling him of an old detec¬ 
tive story? What mother desires to have her 
daughter's mind led astray by an old excit¬ 
ing story of some love affair? And common 
sense would answer none. 

But read stories, fresh and pure, 

Moral, religo'us and refined, 

And they will interest you 
And will bring refreshing to your sad mind. 

Oh ! there is no joy for me, when I can not 
get to read, something each day, if it is only 
a news paper or an almanac; but let me tell 
you, I never read unless I can get a good ar¬ 
ticle to read. And when I say good I mean 
something which does not contain stories of 
a tendency to make me worse instead of bet¬ 
ter. 


62 


Each man and woman, girl and boy, who 
can read, ought to spend their leisure of each 
day reading of some good book, paper or mag- 
izine. We have no time to waste, for each mo¬ 
ment of our time is valuable, ind should be 
spent in accomplishing some good. And not 
trifled, and wasted away by idle and foolish 
prattling. 

Oh! if we could realize the joy in a “still 
tongue” and a working brain we would give 
much more of our time to the latter; and 
would cease the former’ from doing so much 
work as we are allowing it to do to-day. 

And our neighbors would not be so often 
in an indifferent mood towards us. 

Literature and music, in a neighbor-hood 
Is indeed, a very grand sign 

That the community is very good 
And the people are intelligent and refined . 

So let our homes be filled, indeed 
With good books and literature ; 

That during our leisure we can read 
So the old sign may, of us be true. 

Our minds are elevated by good and interes¬ 
ting reading. Oh ! that the young would read 
more and better literature, Oh! that the young 
would be more careful of what they read; 
Oh! that the young would be so glad of their 
intellectual oppotunity. And above all, may 


63 


they find pleasure in reading religous matters 
especially the reading of the bible. 

When we read, let us read those books 
which contain good stories, those papers that 
contain news of interest and that will interest us. 
Oh! that each moment which is so precious to 
us be spent in laboring for our financial im¬ 
provement or for the elevating of our mind, 
religously, morally, and socially. 

Oh ! that book we have caste away, 

And deemed it too dull for us to read, 

Is the very book we read to-day, 

Our hungry minds to feed. 

Oh, how true it is! and oh ! how often we 
lay aside those books which we should read 
simply because they do not contain such read¬ 
ing as would gratify our desire. But never¬ 
theless the book is the very instrument we need 
to help us through this life of snares and evil 
temptations. 

Lay not, that book aside, 

But bring it hither to me, 

And I will make it, my guide, 

For in it, great good I see. 

Oh! loan me that book, dear friend, 

And I will, its contents read, 

For it will comfort to me, lend, 

It is the very book I need. 


64 


That book of yours which I got 
From you the other day, 

Has taught me that my heart, 

Now desires the just and holy way. 

To value the book to you, 

It is worth its weight in gold, 

And indeed, this is not the value due, 

And of it the value IJiave not told. 

That old book, which is so roughly bound, 
And with its contents of the long ago, 

Has brought me to the ground, 

Where I shall dwell for ever more. 

For it taught me how to live. 

In this our land below, 

To await the blessings which God’ll give, 
When from this world I'll go. 

I return this book dear friend, to you, 
With thanks and many wishes, indeed, 

That you will spend only a lew, 

Of your leisure moments, this book to read. 


LETTERS OF FRIENDSHIP. 

Like the crystal brooklets flow 
From a spring pure and clear; 

Words of love freely pour 
From the hearts of lovers dear. 



65 


Words of friendship which we impart, 

Are very impressive to some sweet heart, 
’Though they be only a few, 

But, oh, how sweet, if they are only true. 

These letters should receive our most care¬ 
ful attention. We should bear in mind that 
these letters are links of a chain which shall 
doubtless connect two together, to share the 
trouble and joy of a life time. 

In writing letters of friendship never use ex¬ 
aggerating terms, be truthful, for the friend 
takes it for granted that all the letter con¬ 
tains are true. So let not your friende be de¬ 
ceived by exaggeration. 

The composing and writing of a letter of 
friendship should be done with great care and 
a friendly feeling. 

For no one can write well on any subject of 
which they have no sympath yfor nor interest 
in. And so often, it is, we hear some people 
complain of writing to a friend, and do not 
know what to write. Surely if we have a friend 
or one whom we deem a friend, we are always 
able to entertain them, when in our presence 
with some friendly prattle. This being true, it 
seems very reasonable that we can at most 
anytime compose and write a letter of friend¬ 
ship which will be appreciated by our friends. 

Letters of friendship and courtship should 
be composed of plain, simple, and emphatic 
truths. When I say plain, I mean clearly, so. 


66 


that the friend may not conceive an idea of 
which you do not intend to convey; simple, 
in a way, though intelligent, yet so simple as 
your friend may be able to understand readily 
what you desire them to do in regard of your 
sympathy for them; emphatic, emphasize 
what you write a friend in the way of mak¬ 
ing them feel that you are a friend, and so 
that the rays of your love may brightly beam 
throughout the expressions of your love letter. 

Never write to any one telling them that 
you love them unless you do love them. Nev¬ 
er mate a practice of scolding a. friend in your 
letters of friendship ; For scolding in this way. 
only has the tendency of making your friend 
regard you as an unpleasent person and will 
doubtless diminish his or her love for you. To 
reprove a friend ol his or her way of coolness 
towards you, do so, in a very pleasent and dig¬ 
nifying manner; by writing to the point, in 
terms of truth and exactness ; so your friend 
may be able to at once correct the error of 
which you desire them to. 

When writing a letter of friendship, never 
write so the friend may have the misconcep¬ 
tion of you, and anticipate a future, filled with 
the pleasures of this world, when you will not 
be able to comply with their anticipation. Oh! 
to -day, it is sad, very sad, indeed, to call to 
mind the number oi unhappy marriages caus¬ 
ed by misconception of the couple. Never let 


67 


your love letters contain any expression or sen¬ 
tence which may have the tendency of making 
your friend believe that your financial circum¬ 
stances are what they are not. Be plain, true 
and affectionate, in your love letters and there 
will be a happy future for you after marriage. 

Happy are our future days 
When love has been our guide, 

And led us in its own sweet ways 
And made us groom and bride. 


ETHIOPIA IS ARISING. 

“Ethiopia shall stretch forth her hand” 
And as a nation she will stand, 

In the ranks of governing power, 

Ethiopia to men, no more shall bow, 

But great as a nation she will be, 

When she shall no longer bow her knee, 
Submissive to ignorance and oppression, 
But shall persue the course of race progression. 

Ethiopia is a rising: to fall no more, 

The sound is heard from shore to shore, 

The echoes ring from country and town, 
Ethiopia! Ethiopia 1 is gaining ground. 

The nations stand and hear the cry, 

Of Ethiopia’s success and they ask why, 
Ethiopia is rising up so fast? 

Because she labors for the present, regardless 

of the past. 

Ethiopia! is arising is arising to-day, 

She has wiped her tears of sorrow away, 



68 


And no more will she sit and grieve, 

Of what respect, she does receive 
From the hands of other men, 

But she is ready now to win, 

The respect of nations, great and small, 

For Ethiopia is arising never more to fall. 

Her dark days has passed and eone, 

And no more, does she stand alone; 

In this world, where she must share, 

The troubles and joy ol a world of care, 

Yet let us never silently sleep, 

For the hill is high and valley deep; 

And if we should carelessly fall, 

There will be danger of rising no more at all. 

Ethiopia! is arising, let her banner wave, 
Because for her thousands of soldiers sleepeth 

in the grave, 

Who fell prostrate to rise no more, 

Till day should brake on the eternal shore, 
Where angels welcomed them through the 

gate, 

And their souls this day, do a wait, 

To hear the cry, from shore to shore, 
Ethiopia! is arising! to fall no more. 

Though in the bonds of the slavery chain, 
Ethiopia, for years did remain, 

Till the chain was broken a loose, 

And all the south proclaimed the tmth; 

That Ethiopia should for ever be, 

From the bonds of slavery, free, , 

And the ex-slave masters stand and cry, 
Ethiopia! is arising, and her claim shall never 

die. 



•MSONTENTS.fc 


Author’s apology...... ■* 

At her Cottage door-. . 4 

Sea of oppression. , . . 5 

a school girl's letter... 6 

The farmer ... 7 

By the brook... . ... 8 

A young Christian....... 11 

Yours always. I2 

A cushion seat library. ... 13 

"A, O. of M.” A . ; ... ..... 15 

I wish i were a poet.... .. 17 

A son’s pledge. .... 20 

No need to complain ...i._ 2I 

The jolly five .... 22 

My first love letter. 24 

Because I was black . .. 26 

Think of me in your prayer...... 27 

Mother’s boy. 29 

A serenade at midnight ... .....? 31 

Patiently wait your time’ll come.. 32 

My father was a drunkard..... 33 

To-day i’m twenty one.... 36 

Acquaintance after death... 37 

on the corner........... 39 

An eastern travel. 39 

A parting kiss ..... 45 

A drunkards ex periance..'... 47 

'The grocery porter . 48 

- A close escape ..... 49 

Be honest in all things . 53 

Notoriety in its different forms. .. 56 

How, and what to read .. 60 

Letters of friendship. 64 

Kthiopia is arising....... 6 7 








































